Both.
I never had a problem with the metaplot in the old WoD. I loved it because it gave me ideas on how to use it. I also thought the Gehenna and Apocalypse (and the rest) were great in how they let you pay off the metaplot. I always felt they gave a very deep, entrenched world, then gave you the tools to modify it as you want.
A particularly loose setting makes me wonder why I'd care. If it's about creating my own worlds, then I don't need to buy a book. My current game I'm gearing up to run is my own crazy world with bizarre histories and what not. But if I'm not looking to world build so fully, then I'd turn to WoD.
I like to do both.
Hmmmm, how can I explain it.They give you a world, but no plot. I'll use Vampire as an example. There's clans, covenants (Vampire sects, so to speak. Like smaller versions of the Camarilla and Sabat), a society, and a sense of isolation. Each city is, in effect, cut off from other cities for Vampires, so each city has it's own feudal government, with a Prince who rules and gives out "land" to advisers and allies. There's no metaplot, though. So, they give you the setting without the plot.
So, if you liked the metaplot, you'll probably like oWoD better. If you just want a setting to use for your own plots without restrictions, then nWoD is the way to go. I never really liked the metaplot. I felt like I was running someone else's game rather than my own. But, it is a personal decision. There's a lot of hostility and skepticism towards nWoD from oWoD players.
I'm afraid I fall a bit into that category. That and I still haven't fully used my older WoD books and so I don't see the point in buying all these books I'll never use.
Also - no Technocracy?!!?!? :cry:
Understandable. It is a great alternative, though, if you're looking for something different. And I absolutely recommend Werewolf, Changeling and Promethean, even to someone like yourself that still enjoys the old WoD. Werewolf: The Forsaken improves on Apocalypse in every way imaginable. No more eco-terrorists, now you're a pack hunter that hunts spirits, possessed hosts, and Lovecraftian horrors while defending your territory and pack from evil, brutal werewolves that call themselves the Pure. Changeling: The Lost is also much more Grimm Fairy Tales than the Disney movie tone of Changeling: The Dreaming. Finally, Promethean is completely new. There is no old World of Darkness equivalent and I'd highly recommend it to even old players.
As for Vampire and Mage. . .well, Vampire: The Requiem is very similar to Vampire: The Masquarade. There are no more Antediluvians, as there are restrictions of Vampires becoming too powerful and there's really no equivilant to the Sabbat (Although VII, vampires who hunt vampires, and Belial's Brood, devil-worshipping vampires, are both good substitutes), most everything else is the same. There are fewer clans (Some become "sub clans" called Bloodlines, others were merged together), as well. I can't really recommend Requiem over Masquarade or visa versa because they're both equally good.
As for Mage. . .
What's so great about the Magic system? And how is Awakening different to Ascension? (Please tell me you're exaggerating with them ripping off THE MATRIX.)
The magic system is incredibly flexible. Creating your own spells is a cinch, too, with the tools they give you in the book. You'd probably have to look at Awakening yourself to pass judgement.
As for the differences. . .well, gone is the Magic versus Science theme. Gone is Wonder versus Conformity. Reality vs True Reality is the big theme now, as is Wisdom versus Hubris. Basically, way back when. . .Atlantis. . .existed, it was a Mage city and the Mages there wielded fantastic power. Eventually, however, their Hubris got the better of them, and they built a Ladder to what is basically Mage Heaven, where magic is pure and unending and the Mages shape reality at their whim, called the Supernal World. Some of the Mages went power crazy and started a war with the other Mages, which tore reality in two, separating our world (The Fallen World) and the Supernal. It created a third place between them, called the Abyss, which devours everything. This is what creates Paradox in Awakening.
This is also where the Matrix comparison comes in. The Abyss devours magic and, when Mages of the Fallen World use magic, reality backlashes and creates tears into the Abyss. The Abyss created the Lie, which is what makes it so regular humans (Called Sleepers) can't use, and why they don't believe in, magic.
Anyway, now the Mages power was limited without direct access to the Supernal. The few good Mages still in the Supernal built watchtowers for Mage's spirits could come to access their power again (Since the Abyss was blocking their way physically). Now, most Mages seek to awaken as much of humanity to magic as possible so Paradox will no longer exist and they can Ascend to the Supernal.
Again, Mage is the hardest new game to recommend. It's very good, but it's very hard to compare to Ascension.
